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Moclobemide and fluoxetine in the prevention of relapses following acute treatment of depression
Author(s) -
Lonnqvist J.,
Sihvo S.,
Syvälahti E.,
Sintonen H.,
Kiviruusu O.,
Pitkanen H.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1995.tb09765.x
Subject(s) - moclobemide , fluoxetine , clinical global impression , depression (economics) , rating scale , quality of life (healthcare) , psychology , adverse effect , medicine , psychiatry , hamilton rating scale for depression , major depressive disorder , antidepressant , psychotherapist , alternative medicine , anxiety , developmental psychology , receptor , macroeconomics , cognition , pathology , serotonin , economics , placebo
The efficacy of moclobemide (378 mg ± 76 mg/day) and fluoxetine (36 mg ± 8 mg/day) in preventing relapse was studied during 12 weeks of continuation treatment after a 6‐week initial trial. Fifty‐nine patients with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores of 16 or less were enrolled; 29 continued to receive moclobemide and 30 fluoxetine. Efficacy was measured using a 17‐item HDRS, the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression. Improvement in quality of life was measured using a Medical Outcome Study Short‐form General Health Survey and the 15D Measure of Quality of Life. Twenty‐three per cent of the patients in the fluoxetine group dropped out of the study and 10% in the moclobemide group. Two patients (7%) in the moclobemide group and one (3%) in the fluoxetine group suffered a relapse. Health status and quality of life improved in both drug groups during a 12‐week continuation period. The reports of adverse events fell to one third during the continuation phase. The results indicate that benefits may be gained from extending acute treatment.